@Teleologist Said
You keep answering questions I have not asked. I want to know why you are promoting a teaching that you admit you don't agree with. You believe that the command to "abstain from... blood" forbids taking whole blood or any components derived from whole blood, right? But your governing body teaches something different. Something not backed up by scripture but only their personal opinion. Yet, for some reason you have not explained, you think you are obligated to promote the personal opinion of 9 men in Brooklyn, New York when Jesus clearly warns us that our worship is in vain if we teach the commands of men. Matt.15:9
I'm sure you think that those that adhere to the Trinity doctrine because it is promoted by their church leaders are guilty of following the teachings of men in violation of what Jesus says at Matt.15:9. But at least most of those that support the Trinity believe it is true but you have admitted you think your governing body is wrong on this issue we are discussing but yet you still support them. How is this any different than someone coming to the conclusion that the Trinty doctrine is false but like you being afraid to challenge those in authority over them? And believing the Trinity doctrine doesn't cause persons to die prematurely. So you have the additional burden of standing bloodguilty before God.
You would do well to follow this advice from your governing body:
“If, after making an honest investigation, you are less than pleased with what you see, do more than just complain. . .Church members . . . are responsible for what the church says and does . . So ask yourself: Am I willing to share responsibility for everything my church says and does? . . . But your life depends upon being 100 percent sure. . . . Make your choice accordingly.” (Awake!, Sept. 8, 1987, pp. 19-11)
Yes, that is quite true, I do answer questions you don't ask, but then you falsely accuse me of not answering ones that you do ask and I feel the additional answers are relevant to something you have said.
Been a little selective with your quote haven't you? Talk about taking things out of context. You are right about the edition of the Awake Magazine that your rather selectively trimmed quote comes from. You don't mention that the article was entitled "Future Prospects for Protestantism—And for You!" and is found on page 8 of that magazine.
The article is talking about the Lutheran Church, and gives reasons why, from first hand accounts, some have left that church and become Jehovah's witnesses. Not a very good choice of article for your argument is it? The accounts are in a box on page 10, and I will copy and paste it on the end of the main section from page 9.
I also notice that you chose an article not available online, lol, however I will risk the wrath of the Mods and exercise my right of reply by copying and pasting the relevant section of the article here, without commissions, lol since I have it all on disc.
If Your Church Fails to Act, Will You?
If, after making an honest investigation, you are less than pleased with what you see, do more than just complain. A journalist, while commenting on Karl Barth’s statement that a church is its members, logically concluded: “Church members . . . are responsible for what the church says and does.” So ask yourself: Am I willing to share responsibility for everything my church says and does? Can I really be proud of having all its members as spiritual brothers?
While considering these questions, do not overlook the significance of Revelation 18:4, 8. Speaking of the world empire of false religion, displeasing to God, it says: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues . . . [for] her plagues [shall] come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”
You may sincerely believe that your church is no part of false religion that God says he will soon destroy. But your life depends upon being 100 percent sure. Are you?
False religion has no future, nor do those who support it. True religion will last forever, along with those who practice it. Make your choice accordingly.
The box referred to in the previous line reads
[Box on page 11]
Former Lutherans Explain Why They Are Now Jehovah’s Witnesses
“What first impressed me about Jehovah’s Witnesses was the cleanliness and honesty I saw at one of their conventions. I encourage others to attend one to experience for themselves the genuine love among the Witnesses.”—W. R., former sexton.
“I attended church every Sunday. But the sermon, at most 20 minutes long, seldom answered my questions about the purpose of life or about life after death. Jehovah’s Witnesses gave me the answers right from the Bible, and I could talk to them on a person-to-person basis. More must be included in divine services than just responding to church bells every Sunday morning, singing songs, and listening to a sermon. No sincere searcher for truth can be satisfied with that! He wants to do something.”—E. B., former Sunday-school teacher.
“My activity as church elder never involved Biblical matters, only purely business matters. What helped me most was learning God’s name, Jehovah, a name I never heard mentioned at church. I was impressed with the multitude of truths contained in the Bible.”—E. M., former church elder.
“The first time Jehovah’s Witnesses spoke to me, the difference [between them and us] was apparent. That they wanted to talk to me about the Bible was totally new and strange. My first question was whether they were being paid for their work. They said no. My second question was whether they had fought during the war. They explained that many Witnesses had been in concentration camps. Finally, I had found persons willing, if necessary, to die for their faith.”—H. M., former sexton.
“When I asked my pastor to explain why every pastor had his own interpretation, he said: ‘Every pastor has the right to visualize God in the way that will permit Him to be put to the best use in the congregation.’ Later I took turns attending two different congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. What struck me was the complete harmony between them. And the lectures contained such worthwhile material, always supported by Bible texts that you could immediately read from your own Bible! What a contrast to the many sermons I had heard!”—U. P., former church social worker and parish nurse.
And yes I do accept responsibility for the doctrine set by the Governing Body, because I accept their reasons for their decisions, and the love they show for the Brother hood they are shepherding. Most especially I know the love they have for God and for truth.
I also respect the fact that they trust the Brothers and Sisters to form good enough conscience to make an acceptable decision. They are there to guide their "sheep" not to enforce every little thing.
I support them because on the major, important doctrinal questions they are right, but Christians are, after all, under principle not law so they cannot legislate on every little detail, only guide. Only the Pharisaical are hung up on legislation.
As for disagreements, the answer is simple. I know who they are and what they are, God's representatives on earth so I know that if it is important enough God Himself will sort it out, as I trust Him to sort out my current unfortunate state.
The major thing is that unlike the adherents to the vast majority of churches I, and all JWs, follow Christ and God, not any man, even if that man be on the Governing Body.
So far,over the last , almost 30 years, they have never let me down in any important way. Their important doctrine has always been spot on in line with scripture, and I am not a Pharisee, being picky over the slightest little thing. And I am certainly not going to complain over them saying that maybe I can do something if my conscience allows it.
I suppose one of the things I respect about the JWs is they do not remove personal responsibility from religion. We are all responsible for our own "fate". No one else is, so they don't force feed us.